Jinseong and Choi Sae-kyu: A 20-Year Friendship Blossomed Through Giving

Jinseong, a veteran trot singer, and Choi Sae-kyu, chairman of the Korean Talent Donation Association, have garnered attention for their friendship that spans over 20 years. Jinseong is an icon of resilience, having overcome a troubled childhood, years of obscurity, and battles with lymphoma and heart valve disease.

Jinseong made his official debut in 1997 with the song "Nim-ui Deungbul" at the age of 30. He released "Andong Station" in 2008, which initially went unnoticed but gained explosive popularity around 2012, becoming his signature song. A stone monument commemorating his song still stands at the old Andong Station.

He solidified his reputation with hits like "Naega Babo-ya," "Taekkeul-eul Geolji Ma," "Borittgoe," and "Motnan Nom." With a powerful voice honed through traditional Korean music, he continues to perform actively.

Choi, who is the same age as Jinseong, was a successful businessman with annual sales of 10 billion won before he transformed his life into that of a philanthropist. For the past 15 years, he has dedicated himself to talent donation and volunteer work. The Korean Talent Donation Association he founded has grown from 30 members to nearly 10,000, becoming a significant platform for giving.

Their friendship began over 20 years ago when they met by chance at an event. Choi recalled, "When I first spoke with Jinseong, who was almost an unknown singer at the time, I was deeply impressed by his pure and humble demeanor, which led me to maintain our relationship."

Since then, Jinseong has performed multiple times at talent donation events and love-sharing concerts organized by Choi, bringing hope to those in need. Choi also provided warm support and encouragement during Jinseong's health struggles.

The bond between the two remains strong. In the spring of 2024, Jinseong attended the book signing event for Choi's third poetry collection, "Flowers Do Not Bloom Alone." That autumn, Choi, who is also the president of Jinseong's fan club, hosted a birthday celebration for Jinseong at Banpo's Sebit Island in Seoul, showcasing their enduring friendship.

Choi stated, "It is more important to maintain a good relationship than to simply meet. I want to continue practicing love and sharing with Jinseong in the future."

Their long-standing friendship, built on mutual support and encouragement, is as solid and beautiful as a pebble.

Meanwhile, the Korean Talent Donation Association held a home repair and supplies donation event on October 28 at the Daerim 1-dong Community Center in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, benefiting marginalized community members. This marked the association's 75th donation event. Notably, Kim Choo-bong, CEO of Iben Co., participated directly in the home repair efforts for vulnerable families, adding significance to the occasion.

Among the attendees were Lee Wan-guk, chairman of Shambala CC, Yoon Jong-cheol, CEO of Utrax Co., Lee Kwon-hyo, CEO of Ilpum Yangpyeong Haejang-guk, Yang Hwa-cheol, chairman of Yaksan Co., and many others who contributed funds.

Donations of goods also followed. Kim Young-ki, chairman of Kuukuu Co., and Hwang Eun-joo, president of Yonsei University's FCEO Alumni Association, donated rice, while Kim Jeong-an, CEO of Hope Sharing People, provided bathroom supplies. Myung Jeong-gil, CEO of MG Company and Tteurak Sangjo, donated household items, and Kim Young-seok, CEO of Star Yanghaeng, contributed wall clocks.

Choi remarked, "Although everyone is facing difficulties due to high prices, the warm hands of kindness have not cooled down. It is especially important to convey our precious hearts to those in need during such times." He added, "I will continue to work towards establishing a sustainable culture of giving."

Below is the list of sponsors and attendees for the event: ▶Kim Joo-hyun ▶Park Myung-rae, CEO of L&K Farm ▶Song Soon-hee, team leader at Samsung Life Mokdong Branch ▶Choi Yoon-hee, CEO of Momstar ▶Kim Geum-joo ▶Lim Seong-suk, CEO of Cheonil Construction Machinery ▶Park Min-soo, CEO of Changs ▶Han Jang-hyun, CEO of Y&N Construction ▶Shin Jun-wook, CEO of Anyang Central Hanwoo Gopchang ▶Kim Mi-ki ▶Choi Hae-yeon, poet ▶Choi Ji-young, Arang Palace ▶Park Ji-hu ▶Lee Sang-yoon, CEO of Ho-hyeon ▶Son Jeong-sook ▶Choi Jeong-myeong ▶Lee Hyang-sim, CEO of Yaksan Black Goat ▶Min Hee-joo, operating committee member of Sasek-ui Hyanggi ▶Kim Jae-yong, CEO of Primeway ▶Lee Hyun-jin, CEO of Nanuri Korea ▶Park Byeong-soo, CEO of Real Estate Brokerage Co. ▶Lee Jong-hyun, director of Neulpureun Dental Clinic ▶Park Mi-sook, head of Neulpureun Dental Clinic's administrative office ▶Ban Geum-chae, singer ▶Yoon Seung-ho, transportation industry ▶Kim Sang-hyun, vice president of Incheon New Knowledge Association ▶Han Hyung-kyo, singer from the Korean Entertainment Artists Association ▶Jeong Bok-hee, director of DMC Trips ▶Kim Yong-ik, CEO of Arichae ▶Yang Seul-ki, traditional musician ▶Lee Ji-sook, pansori master ▶Gong Mi-hwa, consultant at Kyobo Life ▶Jo Dong-min, former president of the Korean Franchise Association ▶Lee Jin-chang, publisher of Franchise World ▶Jeon Yeong-ok, director of the Korean Families Separated by War Association ▶Kim Ok-gyeong, director of the Korean Families Separated by War Association ▶Park Kyung-seob, president of the Korea Festival Culture and Arts Journalists Association ▶Han Yoon-jin, vice president of the Korea Festival Culture and Arts Journalists Association ▶Jeong Yo-kyun, CEO of YEIN Design Pack ▶Han Ji-yeon, director of YEIN Design Pack ▶Kim Myung-sook, secretary-general of the Korea Festival Culture and Arts Journalists Association ▶Kim Ok-hee, director of the Korea Festival Culture and Arts Journalists Association ▶Jeong Eun-kyung, freelance broadcaster ▶Members of the Talent Creation Golf Club.



* This article has been translated by AI.

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